It’s a question that can never be answered definitively. One thing’s for sure, though, Tom Brady can consider himself at least a contender for the title of the greatest athlete of the 21st century.

The quarterback is attempting to win an unprecedented sixth Super Bowl ring on Sunday as his New England Patriots vie for the title with the Philadelphia Eagles. It would unquestionably make him the greatest-ever quarterback but the best athlete of this century?

To win our crown Brady will have to see off superstars from football, tennis, golf, rugby, athletics, rugby, boxing and basketball – a glittering array of talent from across the sporting world of excellence.

Here Record Sport Onlinenames 12 contenders for the title of greatest athlete of the 21st century...

Tom Brady

Tom Brady is eyeing history against the Philadelphia Eagles (Image: Getty Images North America)

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The revered Patriots quarterback is looking to continue rewriting the history books as he finds himself in his eighth Super Bowl of his career. Brady, 40, was already in the conversation with luminaries such as 49ers legend Joe Montana before playing a pivotal role in bringing back two of the last three titles to Beantown. He has one Super Bowl ring more than any other quarterback and adding another will surely silence any doubters. Brady's career is tied to that of his all-conquering coach Bill Belichick and the gunslinger has always had to quell dissenting voices. He was a sixth-round draft choice in 2000 but has gone on to forge one of the most storied careers in sports history. Leading New England to yet more glory will place him in the pantheon of the immortals.

What’s he won? Pro Bowl x13, NFL MVP x2, Five-time Super Bowl winner.

Roger Federer

Roger Federer made it 20 Grand Slam wins at the Australian Open (Image: Getty Images AsiaPac)

He had been written off so often the ink well ran dry. Not any more. Federer has swatted away the doubters to become the GOAT (greatest of all time) in male tennis history, a case only strengthened by landing his 20th Grand Slam title last weekend at the Australian Open. An argument that is often made to discredit Federer is that great rivals Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic both have the advantage in head-to-head over the graceful Swiss superstar. Federer was on top long before both and his record in the biggest moments is without compare. After winning only one Slam in seven years, Federer returned to his very best in Melbourne 12 months ago and is back to the top of his game. The 36-year-old is a man for all surfaces and you wouldn't bet against him adding to his haul of titles.

Floyd Mayweather

Mayweather amassed a 50-0 record as he outfoxed his rivals (Image: AFP)

He's brash, crass and calculating, but there hasn't been anyone like Floyd Mayweather in boxing history. He was already a world champion before the turn of the millennium, but it's his work in the noughties which places him on this list. Mayweather's renowned as a defensive maestro, but much of his earlier career was spent knocking people out before his brittle hands led to a style change. Victories over the likes of Arturo Gatti, Juan Manuel Marquez and Canelo Alvarez are punch-perfect masterpieces and wins over Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya cemented his legacy in the sport. People complain he was overly cautious in waiting for opponents to slip, but the man with the 50-0 record endured less damage than any top fighter in history during his time in the ring. A stylist with a mean streak - Mayweather's case as the best athlete this century is strong.

What’s he won?50-0 professional boxing record, five-division world champion, No.1 in ESPN'S top 25 boxers of the past 25 years.

Usain Bolt

(Image: Daily Mirror)

There’s fast and then there’s Usain Bolt fast. Even the gold of Fort Knox proportions that hung around his neck didn’t slow him down. But with a name such as Bolt, we shouldn’t have been surprised. This Jamaican was born to run. In a time that suspicion stalks the stride of so many runners as doping undermines the credibility of athletics, Bolt has been a beacon every bit as bright as lightning. He’s also a superstar, with a Hollywood-esque celebrity that transcends sport. And then there are the records. Lots of them. Fastest 100m time? Check. Eight Olympic golds? Check. Eleven-times World Champion? Check. When he retired in his early 30s, track didn’t lose a hero. No, his legend powers on.

LeBron James

LeBron James is one of the greatest ever to enter a basketball court (Image: USA TODAY Sports)

The basketball superstar is the embodiment of the fast living, social media age. The 33-year-old has done it his way and he's not apologising. The Ohio native was drafted by his home state Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003 straight out of high school and instantly made them relevant, and eventually a contender. He left under a cloud when he chose the Miami Heat as his next destination during an ill-advised and braggadocios live TV special called 'The Decision'. He won two NBA titles in Miami before returning to the Cavaliers and stunning the Golden State Warriors in a remarkable finals series to land title No.3. James will always be compared to Michael Jordan, with rumours swirling he'll be upping sticks at the end of the current season. The small forward is one of truly great players to ever play the sport and he's proven throughout his career with seven consecutive NBA finals appearances, that he will be successful for whichever team he plays.

What’s he won?NBA champion x 3, NBA MVP x 4, NBA Al-Star x 14.

Tiger Woods

(Image: Reuters)

There are athletes who define a sport, but none who have transformed it quite like the trailblazing example of Tiger Woods. Before the skinny kid with the booming drive burst on to the scene golf was perceived as a game for pot-bellied middle-aged pros.

But as Tiger commenced his relentless run to a staggering haul of 14 Majors, and 79 PGA Tour victories suddenly everyone was running for the gym as the realisation dawned that more work than ever would be demanded to keep pace. He is godfather of the modern game. Guys like Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Dustin Johnson are all chiselled athletes as much as they are talented ball strikers and nerveless putters. The bar has never been higher in elite golf - and it was Tiger who raised it. Euan McLean

What’s he won?Majors 12, WGC 16

Serena Williams

Serena Williams is regarded as one of the best in history (Image: Getty Images AsiaPac)

There has never been a tennis player quite like Serena Williams. A heady mix of brute force and unrivalled elegance, Williams has dominated her sport like few others. She has won at least three Grand Slams at all four majors and has specialised in dominating the competition since landing her first signature win at the US Open in 1999. The 36-year-old's dominance has been incessant this century. Her greatest rival has been her sister Venus, with the women's game having a varied cast of characters at the top, Williams' presence has loomed large throughout. She is currently enjoying some time away from the sport after the birth of her first child, but few would doubt her returning a capturing more glory before she calls time on her wildly-successful career.

Andres Iniesta

Spain's midfielder Andres Iniesta is revered across the football world (Image: AFP/Getty)

The 'other' footballer on the list and while he may not be able to compete with the likes of Messi and Ronaldo in terms of individual awards. .. Iniesta's role in some of the greatest teams in history is unquestionable. In a generation of brilliant midfielders, the understated playmaker is the best of them all. A player with a penchant for scoring goals on the biggest stages, Iniesta's impact on the world of football is unquestioned. He famously fired home in the dying seconds to help Barcelona dump Chelsea out of the Champions League in 2009, before cementing his legacy for Spain when he scored the extra-time goal to win the World Cup in 2010. A peerless creative force who has spent his whole career with the Catalan giants.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates (Image: REUTERS)

The skinny kid with the mesmerising feet has evolved into the archetypal modern athlete. In transforming his physical profile, Ronaldo has elevated himself from a tricky winger into the ultimate attacking all-rounder and in turn ensured his own enduring legacy. With exceptional upper body strength stemming from lengthy gym work, he's impossible to knock off the ball and a powerful force in the air. Searing pace, a blistering strike and the technical skill to bamboozle even the very best of defenders have made him a phenomenon at Real Madrid where he is the all-time leading goalscorer, no mean feat when you consider his lofty competition. At 33 there is talk about his star being on the wane but few would back against the Portuguese's determination to remain an elite footballing powerhouse into his late thirties. Jonathan McFarlane

Michael Phelps

(Image: Reuters)

The most decorated athlete in Olympic history with an incredible 28-medal haul, the swimmer has never been one to tread water. Phelps made the US Olympics team in 2000 at the age of just 15. No medals arrived in Sydney – but this was to be the last time. Phelps was to later rack up a staggering haul of Olympic gongs, plus a raft of silvers. The Baltimore Bullet was also to fire his way to 39 world records – more than any swimmer that is recognised by the International Swimming Federation. He surpassed the great Mark Spitz to become the greatest swimmer of all time, an aquatic athlete for whom no discipline proved too difficult.

Lionel Messi

(Image: AFP/Getty Images)

Lionel Messi is a magician on the football field. His left foot can do anything he wants it to do and he’s got a wand of a right peg as well. The ball sticks to him like Bostik and teams need four and five players to surround him to have a chance of winning the ball. Even then it’s a struggle.

With 29 trophies in the bag he’s one of the most decorated footballers ever, he’s won five Ballon d’Or awards, scored the most goals in La Liga, the most goals in one season, the most goals in a calendar year and the most goals in El Clasico. He’s also created more goals in La Liga than anyone else and is Argentina’s record goalscorer, ahead of the great Diego Maradona. His achievements are incredible and he’s still got plenty of time left in his career to achieve more. The only thing he hasn’t been able to claim is the World Cup, but with Messi in their side, you wouldn’t bet against Argentina for Russia 2018.

Dan Carter

New Zealand star Dan Carter (Image: REUTERS/Henry Brown)

Considered by many to be the greatest fly-half that’s ever played rugby, Dan Carter is still ripping it up at French side Racing 92, aged 35. He’ll leave there at the end of the season but his career has been filled with unbelievable performances. He is the highest point scorer in Test match history, scoring 1,598 points in 112 New Zealand appearances and has won the IRB player of the year on three occasions, equalling fellow All Black Richie McCaw’s record. With two World Cups to his name, among many other trophies, there’s very few rugby players who can compete with Carter’s record on the pitch. He’s changed the way fly-halves play the game and is an all-round talent. Mark McDougall

What’s he won? World Cup x2, Tri Nations x9, All Black test centurion, Top14 x2, Super Rugby x4, IRB Player of the year x3, All time Super Rugby points scorer, All time international rugby point scorer.